IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 'V. / O o .^i- 4 i^j^ I/., I.I 1.25 M^WIA 12.5 |jo *^™ H^H y. 1^ |2.2 lAo 112.0 1.8 U 111.6 V] <^ /w y ^r /^ Photographic Sdences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. M580 (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques Th to The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibiiographicaily unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. D D n a n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagAe Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurie et/ou pelliculAe I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gAographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ ReliA avec d'autres documents r~7| Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutAes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas AtA filmAes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplAmentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a At6 possible de se procurer. Las details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. D D D D D D Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagAes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur6es et/ou pelliculAes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages dicolortes. tacheties ou piqu6es Pages detached/ Pages ditachies Showthrough/ Transparence Th po of filr Ori be] the sio ott firs sio or I I Quality of pfint varies/ Quality inigale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppl^mentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Thi sha J\K whi Mai diff enti beg rtgh reqi met Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the best possible imaga/ Les pages totalement ou partieiiement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont M filmAes A nouveau de fapon A obtenir la meiiieure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction : Mio checked below/ Ce document est filmi au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X nx aox 7 lax 16X 20X 24X 28X J2X The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generoaity of: Legislative Library of British Columbia The images appearing here are the best qui^lity possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning 'on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^> (meaning "CON- TINUED "). or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc.. may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method : L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grflce h la g6n6rosit6 de: Legislative Library of British Columbia Les images suivantes ont 6t6 raproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont film6s en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commenpant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent dtre film6s A des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6. il est film6 A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite. et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m6thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 I tf..?-' ■:■■■ »*/■*"• , - • . ■ A. ■■'- . .V -■■'Vv^tS^ I ' f 'ffistoriaal and Dascriptivg lioti"^"""^^^ ~iz^^^^'i'»m'fm.M'-v''y^::,,'.'. L^alch^ ||2f{?e.pame"^^ . , l^nittniftHtad with ig ri„^' A Sure Q.rid* fcr 5trangnry aad VJsJf^s. OF MCNTReAL &' !4£ 'Ji - yWy "iff ^ f 'jfj I ^vjifc '1, • ^1 18S7 -^ ---fV ST! -♦^^r:- . -; I l*«ltJi«*y THE GRAND ALTAR AND SANCTU/ .Y Ol' SOTRE-DAMK. HlSTORlGAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTISB ON THE Church of Notre-Dame OF M()X'rRI':AI 11 m ■1 , m ;, \\ ■'" :*i"B I'll ■i f m\ I ORNAMENTED WITH 18 FINE ENGRAVINGS. -^S" A Sure Ouide for Strfni^ccrss tiocl \'isitor«. MONTREAL ; O. VekkMvXX, I'lviNXEK - Eiditok. 597 ST. PAUL STREET, 697. 1897. ? n An ^"^■^ \j /^ '- 1 *~*^>c^ FC)k STRANGERS AND VISITORS Tills BOOK Is • DISPENSABLE AND SURE GUIDE. I ndepenclant of its bein^ elegantly illustrated, the • • ' ^ Public at large, we arc confident, will find it ins- tructive and interesting, as giving an exact history and description of Notre-Damk, with full details and parti- culars of what this religious Monument contains... its Sanctuary and Main Altar, probably the only existing one of its kind, its many masterpieces of art, its splendid decorations, etc. ':^^Jts Entered according to Act of Parliament ofC'uadii, in the year one thousand eight hundred and eighty, by Rev. M. V. Rocsselot, Priest S. S., n the office of the Minister of Agriculture. The Khurcl) of Notre-DaiDa the ns- md rti- its ng lid md N the iStli of May 1642, Mr. de Maisonncuve and the colonists accompanying him from France, sent by Mr. Olier (1) and his asssociates, reached the Island of ^rount-Royal, assumed possession of it and founded '' Ville-Marie " ( now Montreal). A temporary chapel, of bark, was immediately built at the Fort, on " Pointe a Calli6re, " and was used and known as the parish Church, under the name of Notre- Dame, until the following year, during which, upon the same sjjot, a wooden edifice was constructed. In 1654, this latter chapel becoming also inadequate to the wants of the congregation, Mr. de Maisonneuve suggested to his fellow citizens the erection of another larger and more commodious church, to be built adjoining the Hospital, in .St. Paul street, on the spot where stand to day the massive stores of the Sisters of the Hotel-Dieu. The parochial services were held there during more than twenty years, in anticipation of the time when a fine ind spacious parish Church would be erected. In 1672, the building of this long sought for church was begun, on what is known to day as " Place d'Armes, " and was completed in 1678. F^xtensive as its proportions were, a century later the increasing requirements of the i)eople demanded that a far more spacious and imposing edifice should replace it. However, it was only in 1823 that the foundations of the present Church were laid. Thanks to zeal and generosity of the parishioners and of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, so actively were the works kept up that, on the 7th of June 1829, the Church was opened to the public ; and on the fifteenth, a week afterwards, Monseigneur I-artigue, first Bishop of Montreal, officiated pontifically within its walls. The edifice is in the highest degree, a grand and imposing struc- ture. Its front is perfect in symmetry, its bold and lofty towers attract (l) First Superior of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, in Paris. 12?*i:3c 6 llISTURIi Al. AND DKSi kll'TIVK. NttriCK ON TIIK attciuioir from the extremities of the city, and are visible from llie south at a distance of over thirty miles. The jiortiro, between the two towers is, (>o feet in heigiit. The three colossal statues ])'a(:cd over the ai^ades represent the Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph anil Si. Jolin the Baptist, the i)atrons of Lower Canada and of the city of .Montreal. This vast monument belongs, it will be seen, to a branch of the Gothic, the pointed arch S( hool of art hite( lure, a school that has handed down to us the timc-h illowed cathedrals of the old world, a style so i)erfectly in harmony with christian thought and biblical tradition, and so admirably calculated ' elevate the soul to (lod. THE T0WF.R5. Measured from theii- foundation to their pinnacle, the towers are 227 feet in height. The platform of the >vcstern tower is reached by a stairway containing syyslvjps. From this elevated standpoint, is to be obtained one of the finest views of Montreal and its environs, a view tmobstrucled on every side, and allowing the spectator to enjoy, without effort, the enchanting spectacle olTered to his ga/e. To the North, is the great artery of the St. Lawrence .uburbs, stretching to the extremity of Mile End, and thence to the banks of " La Riviere des Prairies " ( Back River ). Towards the East, the Lower-Town extends its wharves lined with vessels as far as the \illage of Ho( helaga, whence the eye may follow the majestic course of the St. l^-iwrtnce, watering our richest and most fertile lands in its journey towards the sea, till lost to sight on the horizon beyond the sjjires of Var nnes. On the South, the landscape extends over the islands of St. Helen and St. Paul, compri- ses the parishes of Longucuil and Laprairie, includes the delightful country around Bela'il and St. Hilairc, and stretches even as far as the Green Mountains of \'erniont. Westward, along the Lachinc Canal, lies the plain of St. (iabrieb silent witness of the many eariy struggles against the Iroquois indians ;and the town of St. Henry, destined at some future day to be the connecting link between our metropolis and Lachine. In closing the circle, th.* eye rests upon the most attractive feature in Montreal's position, the sloping side of Mount-Royal, studded with splendid villas, and crowned by the beauties of the new mountain Park. CHURi M fiK NOIKK-DAMK M |<|.;aI,. THK "BOURDON" OF NOTRE-DAriE AND ITS TEN OTHER CHURCH-BELLS. A iiininciU's rest in the descent from the summit of tlic tower to examine what is known as " le gn.-. liourdon.' This enormous bell weighs 24,7.^0 pounds, is 6 feet high, and at its mouth measures eight feet and seven in< hes in diameter. Its sound is magnificcpt ^n its fulness and grandeur; it relates its own history, in the following inscription, found graven on !'• exterior : A\No iKiMi.M 1S47. KfNr)AI\1-; .MARIANOl'OMS 202. r,! 1>. I' IX IMJNTIKU.ATUS I. KECiNI VICTORI.K IIKI ITANIAkU.M 10. KX I l.s.SI.Md .MKKCATORU.M, Ai IKICOI.ARLM AU 11 IICINKJL I, .MARIANOPOI.ITKNSIf.M Dd.NO. That is : I was <:ast in the year of the Christian era 1S47, the 202nd siiuo the founilation of Montreal, the first of Pius the ninth'-, pontificate, and the tenth of the reign of Victoria, Queen of England , I am the gift of the merchants, the farmers and the niechanics of '• VilleMarie." li is oruainented with the images of th.- Blessed Virgin and St. John th'j Haptist, and wuji the em')leins of Agriculture, Commerce antl Industry, rndcr ihcse iiiiy hu- read : tAROI.Us KT (IKORdlUS MKARS J.ONDIM FIX |;KI NT. That is : I was cast in London by Charles and George Mear-i. Ill the Eastern lowi-r are hung ten smaller bells, beautifully toned in such perfect harmonv that the most varied musical airs can be executed while they peal. 'i'he ist weighing 601 1 pounds, strikes do The 2n(l " jS^^tZ The 3rd " 2730 The 4th '• 21 14 Tiie 5th " i6;;i The 6th " 1463 The 7th " 1200 The 8th " 1093 The 9th •' 924 The loth " 897 re mi /" sol la SI do octave. re iiii 8 HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE NOTICE ON THE When, on grand festival days, the great " Bourdon " joins its solemn tones to the clunies of its ten Sisters, the soul-stirring effect is so striking, that we may safely say no other such concert can be heard on the continent of America. Each of these ten bells bears the name of its donor : The Seminary of Montreal. MM. Albert Furniss and Ed. Bowling. Mr. and Mrs. John Donegani. Mr. and Mrs. Olivier Berthelet. The Hon. Jules Quesnel. Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Par6. Rev. 1,. S. Parent, parish priest of Repentigny. Mr. Jean Bruneau. Mr. and Mrs. T. Bouthilier, Mr. Augustin Perrault. THE INTERIOR OF NOTRE DAME. Leaving its towers. Ictus cross the threshold of this grand temple of the Almighly, taking in, as one can do, at a single glance, the entire ])recincts within its walls. Its vast nave, its side aisles, its spacious two storied galleries seen in the twilight as it were, of mysterious gloom, involuntarily impress the mind with the vastness of the sacred edifice, with thoughts of the Infinite and Omnipotent. The paintings, the gildings, the sculptures, the stained glass windows, the chef-iVceuvrcs (master pieces) of artistic ornamentation, all seenj to waft our thoughts towards an unknown world, dazzle us with their innumerable beauties and render us for the moment unable to determine upon which of them first to direct our attention. The nave of the church including the Sanctuary, is 220 feet in length, nearly eighty feet in eight, sixty-nine feet in width, without including the side aisles which measure 25 'j feet each ; the walls are five feet thick. When the project of erecting this splendid edifice originated, the architect was instructed to furnish the plan of a church capable of accommodating 10,000 persons, who should not only enjoy the privilege of being able to follow the holy ceremonies at the altar, but to hear the word of God, and to hear it easily from the pulpit. To these two inestimable advantages, the architecture of Notre-Dame CHURCH OF NOTRE DAME OK MONTREAL. 9 lends itself most happily, and we are sale, we believe, in stating, that this church alone possesses this double advantage. On extraordinary occasions, by utilising all the pews and aisles in the galleries and body of the church, it is capable of containing 12,000 and even 15,000 persons. Fourteen side windows, forty feet high, light up the galleries, and admit soft rays upon the grand aisle. We enter now upon moie minute details, and in order to do so with some species of system, attention may be directed towards the western side aisle. WESTERN SIDE AISLE, TO THE RIGHT. First Altar. The tirst altar, on the right, is dedicated to honor the sufferings of Christ. That is why the dif.erent instruments of his Passion are represented here. The faithful like to pray at this altar to make repa. tion for the blasphemies of men. The Baptismal Chapel Our first steps into this side-aisle bring us to a chapel, containing the baptismal font. A painting represents the baptism of Our Lord by .St. John the Baptist, in the waters of the Jordan, and is a copy of the great mosaic work of C. Maratta, to be found in the Baptismal c ,^el of St. Peter, at Rome ;Oiir Saviour is surrounded by Angels, St. John with averted face is puuring water upon his head, scarce daring to gaze upon the features of One, in whose presence all others must appear so unworthy ( t ;. ( I ) This baptism by SU John was but symbolical of the baptism instituted by Our Lord JesusChiist, ihi! Sacrament so inilispensable towards salvation : *' Go ye theietore and teach all nations, baptising ihcm in the name of tlie "Father and of the .Son andof liie Ilolytlost. " St. Math. XXVIII, 19. " Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Gost, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of C^od. " St. John, III. 3. 10 MIsrdRH'.AI. AMI ni'.Si. KIPTIVK NOTICF ON THE The font itself is of white marble, supported by the figures of our angels, and the cover or lid is of gilded copper. Our Lady of Constant Succour. This is a copy of a justly celebrated and miraculous painting, in the Byzantine style, brought from the East to Rome many centuries ago. The Virgin Mary holds the Infant Jesus in her arms ; two Archangels appear offering the dreaded instruments of his future Passion to the divine Child, who instinctively shrinks at their first sight. Between the altars are placed the confessionals, where sinners CHURCH OK NOTRE-DAME OF MONTREAL. IE acknowledge tlioir offences to the ministers of Christ, and receive from them remission or absolution. On the evening of the resurrection, Jesus entered the closed guest-chamber [Cenac/e), where his disciples were assembled, stood in their midst and said : " .Peace be unto you, as my Father has sent mc, even so I send you- " Having said this He breathed on them and saith unto them : " Receive ye the Holy Ghost ; whosesoever sins ye remit, they are " remitted, and whosesoever sins ye retain, they are retained." St. John, XX, 21, 22, 23. These were words uttered and intended for all time, since alas I there must ever be sinners in this world, and sins to be atoned for and forgiven ! But how could the priest remit offences of which he has no knowledge, and how could that knowledge be obtained, unless the penitent sinner has confided it to his spiritual adviser? Hence the necessity of confession, recognized and practised since the earliest days of the Catholic Church. Chapel of St. Amable. The third altar we conT:; to is th it of St. Amable. priest and pastor of Riom, in Auvergne, France, in the fifth century. The pic- ture, an old painting from th' pencil of a native artist evidently self instructed in his art, represents the Saint controlling by Almighty power the ravages of a vast conflagration. The altar in this chapel was once the Main Altar of the Church, and is preserved there as a memento of the past. Chapel of St. Joseph. The next chapel is that of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed. Virgin, adoptive father of the Infant Jesus. He appears in the paint- ing bearing in his arms the divine Child. Maivellous instances of supernatural assistance and protection are related in connection with the fiiithful who have devoutly prayed before this picture. Four statues adorn this altar : The two principal ones are those of St. Francis of Sales and St Theresa, celebrated for their devotion to St. Joseph ; the two smaller figures represent St. Louis Gonzaga and St. Stanislas Kostka, patrons of christian youth, who, like St. Joseph, preferved their innocence and purity during their entire life time. 12 HISTORICAL AVI) DESCRIPTIVE NOTICE ON THE In the tomb beneath this altar rests the body of St. Felix, taken from the catacombs of Rome. Chapel of the Blessed Virgin. At the extremity of the aisle to the right, is found the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The " bas-relief" (basso-relievo) upon the tomb recalls the mystery of the Presentation. The Virgin Mary at the tender age of three years, accompanied by St. .\nn and St. Joachim, enters the temple in order to consecrate her life to God, and is received by the High-priest. The superb painting, overhanging the altar, represents the Queen of Heaven handing the Rosary to St. Dominick. From her arms the Infant Jesus is placing a crown of thorns upon the head of St. Cathe- rine of Sienna. This is an enlarged copy of a celebrated picture in the Church of St. Sabine at Rome, painted by .\ndre Vannuchi, better known under the name of Del Sarto. A nearer glance discloses, upon the gilded door of the tabernacle, an exquisite little painting of the Madonna. This miniature " chef- d'ceuvre" was purchased at Florence (Italy), in 1872. The crucifix and candlesticks are beautifully enamelled and were purchased in Paris at a cost of six hundred dollars. Before proceeding further, the visitor should devote a moment's attention to a handsome painting, an excellent copy of a masterpiece by ^fignard, on the left side of the aisle. St Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus, is sten in prayer in the grotto of Manreza, and there to him appears the Mother of God with her divine Son, handing him the rules and constitutions of the Jesuit Order. The next one recalls the mystery of the Presentation of the blessed Virgin. Author is unknown ; nevertheless this ancient painting is an original one of a great price. NEW CHAPEL OF NOTRE-DAME OF SACRED-HEART. A passage, after few steps at our left, will bring us to the chapel of Notre "^ame of the Sacred Heart. This Chapel has been built for the sodalitie.-. of the parishionners, the Grand church being too larpc for their meetings. This chapel of gothic style, is nearly 100 feet in lenght, 60 feet in width and 65 feet in height, and is one of the most beautiful monuments in the city of Montreal : architecture, CHURCH OF NOTRE-DAMK OF MONTREAL. 13 sculpture, paintings, decorations, there is nothing in it that is not worthy of remark and should not be studied in the minutest details. When he crosses the entrance of the prineipal door, the visitor experiences a sense of amazement and admiration owing to the harmony of the lines, the splendour of the ornamentation, the am- pleness of the proportions. One is never tired of admiring the numerous statues distributed with perfect symmetry in the whole chapel and especially in the Sanctuary, the elegant galleries, the pannels adorned with mosaic, and chiefly the paintings, all of them executed by Canadian artists, who have been, in Paris, pupils of the most renowned masters. It is especially for the explanation of those paintings that a special book have been made. EASTERN SIDE AISLE, TO THE LEFT. Chapel of the Sacred-Heart. Leaving the passage to enter the eastern side, the first chapel reached is that of the Sacred-Heart. The painting represents Our Lord appearing to the blessed Margaret-Mary, a nun of the order of the Visitation, at Paray-le-Monial, (France) ; it is an exact and life- ike portrait of this holy virgin. Our Saviour shows her His divine Heart so full of love for man, from whom alas ! He receives so requently but ingratitude and forgetfulness in return. He urges the finstitution of a special holy-day of reparation in honor of His Sacred Heart (i). Beneath this altar rests a body also taken from the catacombs of Rome, the remains of the Virgin and Martyr St. Ir^ne. Hers was the palm of nic.ij .dom while still in the prime of youth, hers the happi- ness of death rather than the sacrifice of her innocence and of her faith. To the right of this altar, upon one of the exterior panels of the sanctuary, is to be seen an extremely old painting, the Presentation of the Infant Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem. Upon the wall, towards the left, is the first of the fourteen pain- tings.representing the Way of the Cross. Placed in their order around the Church, t'ley recall the principal incidents that marked Our (l). This festival has been established, and is celebrated 0:1 the Friday, following the octave of the Holy Sacrament, 14 mSTOUICAL AND PESCRll'Tn F. NOTICK ON TIIK Lord's agonizing footsteps, from the judgment scat of Pilate to mount Calvary. These pictures, really good paintings, were obtained in Paris. Chapel of St. Ann. To St. Ann, mother of the Virgin Mary, is dedicated the next altar. Carncvali, a distinguished Roman jjainter has rendered life like the images of St. .\nn, of St. Joachim, her spouse, of Mary, their blessed child. There existed, in yi.'a.s gone by, ihe pious custom, among weal- thy Catholic families, of erecting and maintaining at tlieir own expense the various chapels in a parish church. To perpetuate or rather to revive this worthy practice in Notre- Dame, Fatt er A. Valois, in the name of his family, made a gift of this chap 1 to the Church. The attractive little statues that adorn it, represent St. Simon, St. Stephen, St. Kmiiy and St. Philomene, patron saints of the donors. Chapel of the Souls of Purgatory. // is, therefore, a holy and 7oho/esoiiie thought to pray for the Jeaii, that they may be loosed from sins, says the l)ook of Macchabees, 2 Macch. XII, 46. Notre Dame has therefore its chapel, devoted to the Souls of Purgatory, and every morning during the month of November, and on frequent other occasions during the year, the Holy Sacrifice of Mass is celebrated there, to obtain from the Almighty the pardon and release of these suffering souls Few are those who, on leaving this life, are worthy to enter the realms of eternal bliss. Their souls require the purification of Purga- tory before enjoying the happiness of the sight of God : but this period of transition can be lessened, by offering up, with that object, the Holy Sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ, by prayer, by indulgences (1) and other meritorious offerings, such as fasting and giving alms to the destitute. (I) We are fiequently asked, what is an indulgence? In family life, a cliild disobeys his father : a penan;e is imposed, and is being carried out ; a well behaved brother prays for his forgiveness and the father grants it in consideration of the good conduct and earnest request of the applicant i thh father giants an indulgence. A subject, in a kingdom, is guilty of a capital felony, and is on the way to the CHURC}J (IK NOTRE-PAME OK MONTREAL. 15 Mrs. Alfred LaRocque (Miss Leocadie l>oiicher) generous!;, erected this chapel, with the intention that both herself and her family should seek and obtain through it the precious mercies of divine indulgence. The painting is one by Minoclieri, a Roman artist, and depicts a priest offering up the Holy Sacrifice, and thereby delivering from Purgatory numbers of souls, who are wafted to heaven on the wings of surrounding Angels. The "bas-relief" (basso-relievo) on the front of the altar repre- sents the ^'irgin Mary sujjporting in her nrms the head of her Divine Son, during t* e few moments that ])recede the scaling of the sepulchre. Her loving gaze is blinded by tears, her heart is broken, but still she is perfectly resigned to the will of the Almighty. What a model to admire I what an example to tollow for those who bewail the dea'h of cherished child, the loss of a beloved relative ! On leaving this chapel, the visitor's attention may be directed to the large crucifix near it. It is effective in design and exquisite in workmanship; the lips, mouth and entire face of the dying Saviour seem full of life-like and agonizing expression. This crucifix is a memento of a most successful Mission, held during Lent of iAiKIII(K or ISAAC. Isaac lies bound upon the wood which he carried up the mountain and whereon he is to be sacrificed. He willingly consents to his immolation by his father Abraham, A ram, caugiit in a thicket by the horns, is offered up as a burnt offering in '..is stead. Eighteen centuries later, Christ ascended the same Mountain, bearing also the wood upon which he was to be sacrificed. He is stretched upon the ('ross. his head crowned with thorns. He allows his hands and feet to lie nailed, and immolates Himself to the justice of his Father. X i. .- e ' * • & CHURCH OK NOJKK-DAMI. OK MiinirkaL. tl II. —A PRIEST oi- TiiK SON oi AARON oKKKRs IP I UK SACRIFICE (named the perpetual one) '>i' a j.roTiKss i amu. According to Mosaic law, in the morning and evening of each day, a spotless lanrib was olTered up to God. Exodus XXIX, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42. Tradition and the Jewish historian Josephus teach us that the evening oblation was at 3 P. M. Who but must perceive that that ofieiing was stfikingly figurative of the future Sacrifice of Christ? The Divine Saviour, the true spotless Victim, allowed himself to be slain >vithout a murmur. His sacrifice commenced in the morning, and lasted until three o'clock in the afternoon. l2L^;]'j 22 IIMORICAI AND Dt^CRlTTlN K NOIICE OX TIIK ni.OODV SACRII UK or JESMS-CllRlsr. Jbsus-Chiiist, tub Son uf Gi'U, Eii!i;nai. Wokd, Skconi) Pkhson ni thh ui!iciMi:s Mas, dies a Victim mi; us ipon the Cimss. Hf. saiisiii JrSTlCE, KXI'IA'IES dUF SINS, (iHTAINS l-f>K I'S TIIEIK I'AHIMpN ANIJ IIIK <, KALES NELBSSAKV TO KEACH HEAVEN. Hi!i,Y Tki* ;s DIVINE CHURCH OK NO'lRKli.WIK Ol- MONTKF.AL. L^ This is the only, the true sacrifice by means of which the human race has been redeemed, and of which all others, from that of Abel t,i t' at of Christ, Avere but figurative. The Blessed Virgin is there standing at the foot of the Cross, a suurd of agony piercing her very soul, while she offers herself up as a victim with her Divine Son. St. John, overcome by sorrow, has turned his face away, unable longer lo look u|)on his Saviour, and Mary Magdalen is weeping over the sins she has so generously expiated. In the niches, on each side of the altar, are statues of the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul, and of the four Evangelists, who spread throughout the world the fruits and blessings of the divine sacrifice. Near the arch-top above (in ihe curve of the vault), are four Angels triumphantly bearing the instruments of our Lord's passion, while six others with golden censers are offering up to the victorious I,amb of Cod their adoration, and the anited prayers of the Saints. tf s St. x: - . < 25 CHURCH OF NOTRE-DAMF. OK MONTREAL. THE ••CENE". Institution of the Holy Eucharist. Our Lord Jesus-Christ in his infinite love, having partaken of the pascal lamb wth h,.s Apostles, gives himself completely unto them in Holy Commun.on and establishes the sacrament of the Eucharist. St^Matt. XXVI, .6, .7, .8. -St.Mark XIV, .., 33, -^.-St.Luke, WII, 19, 20. ' " For, says St. Paul, I have received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you : that the Lord Jesus, the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke it and said : Take ) , and eat; this is wy body w/iic/i shall be delivered for vou ; do this Joy the commemoration of me. In like manner He took 'the' Chalice after he had supped, saying : This chalice is the neu' testament in my blood; this do Ye, as often as you shall druik it, for the commemoration of me, for as often as Ye shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord until He come. But let a man I)rove himself and so let him eat of that bread and drink of the Chalice ; for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judg- ment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord." I Cor XI, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. On each side of the " Cf.NE," is a small statue. r. The saintly King David, with his harp, chanting his prophecy : that Christ would be for ever a Priest after the order of Meichisedech. //.' es saeerdos in leterniim secundum Meichisedech. Fs. 109. 2. Malachias, writing his prophecy : " From the rising of the sun even to the goii.g down, &:c. " He foretells that all the sacrifices under Mosaic law are to be done away with, and that but one pure and Cod-blessed oblation, will be offered up universally, among the nations of the earth, the sacrifice described in the new testament, that of the Holy Eucharist. Two " bas-reliefs" at the extremities of the altar, represent two tou(hing incidents connected with the sacrifice of the Holy Kucharist : |.::i::;i!i^iiiiiri'iiia|iii:'ip-;!Liii!i:;,i;iiiiS|i^i^ THE VIRGIN MARY CRC\VM.l) liY IIKK DIVINE SON. This last group, representing the \'irgin Mary, the noblest' purest, holiest work of (lotl, is symbolical of humanity redeemed and glorified by virtue of the sacrifice. The " bas-reliefs " are Angels sounding the bliss, the glory of this redemption. HISTORKAL \SV DKSCRII' I 1\ K NOTK E ON Till'; 27 I. The Virgin Mary, after Our Lord's ascension, receiving Holy Coninuinion from tlie hands of the apostle St. John. " il 2. St. Charles Borromeo, archbishop of Milan, administering the A'iaticum to the f'/ni^iir-stric'^i-ii people of that city. Above the ■' Ck.ni, " are : 1. The Altar, upon which is daily celebrated the new and divine sacrifice. 2. 'I'he Tabernacle, true ark of the covenant, in whicii is conti- nually preserved the real manna from heaven, the Holy Kucharist, Christ him.ielf. 3. On each side of the Tabernacle, are " bas-reliefs "representing f'hoirs of Angels and blessed Spirits adoring Christ there present, with the profound respect and burning love they feel for him. It is the Church of Heaven in union with that of earth, combining toge- ther, to fulfil the duties of adoration, of worship, of gratitude, ot love, ».\:c. h< 38 HISTOKIL'AL AND Dl'SCRI I'TIVK NOl ICK ON J HE A FIGURE OF THE SACRIFICE OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST. nelchisedech. High Priest and Kinj; of Salem, offers up his Sacrifice of Bread and Wine. The prophecies had not only foretold that the Saviour of the world would offer himself up as the Redeemer of our sins, l)y shedding his blood and by dying for us, but had announced moreover, i. : that He would ever remain Priest after the order of Melchisedech, in other words, that He would institute another sacrifice, which would be offered up, as was Melchisedcch's, under the appearances of bread and wine : Tu cs saccrdos in (cternum secundum ordincm Melchisedech^ Ps. 109. 2. : that an end should be to all the sacrifices under ancient law, and that this new sacrifice, this pure offering should supersede CHURCH or NCTRK-DAMK (,1 M, .N | rka, . 29 them, &c: " Munus „ou susaf>uvn ,/. .uanure^tm. .1/, ortusol n usgue adoccasnm, mai^num est mmen meumin >^,nt,b,n.et u, omui loco sacri- Jiidtur et offatur tiomini mco oblatio miuida. " Malarliias, I, lo-ii. A FIGURE OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST. After Moses had built the Ark of the Covenant, he caused to be placed therein a vessel or urn, containing manna, which was " to be kept unto generations to come thereafter. " Exodus, XVI, 33, 34. Tliis manna that laineti down daily from Heaven, as savourv food for the Israelites in tlie desert, and of wliicli an urn full was placed in ihe tabernacle to be preserved for future ages, was a peifecl symbol of the Kucharist, that descends daily from above upon our altars, and that we treasure up in our tabernacles until the end oltime. It is our precious food, the true bread of life ujion this earth, this world of exile, this barren desert, when compared to the true promised land, to Paradise. / CHURCH OK NOIRK-DAMK CK MONTRKAL, c ■^--1 < ^-.i 1 0 «^ ::^ ■ o 1- J2 ■ o — .^d -c ~=-^ < - cz C4 C ~Ii u i — --'-' J3 ,^-M 5 < Thus, is to be found in this Altar, which we bch'eve to l)c ihc only one of its kind, the religious history of the world. Man, after the fall, unable to effect his own redenipiion, receives the promise that a Rehkemkr will save him . A (Jod becomes incarnate, and, assuming human nature, sacri- fices himself for the salvation of humanity ; For ages, numberless victims are daily immolated and offered up to the Deity ; At last. Our Lord Jesus-Christ, the true living holocaust, dies upon the Cross ! Ill the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, Our Saviour perpetuates his sacrifice; a sacrifice that is and shall be offered up, throughout the entire world, and till the end of time. THE GREAT ORGAN. Facing the Grand Altar is the new organ which resounded throui h the church for the first lime on Easter day i§^^--*- , I 1